Serving Those We Love

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day." ~ Sally Koch

Shoveling a snowy walkway for an elderly neighbor, opening the door for a stranger on crutches, donating money to a charity, or volunteering at a local shelter are just a few examples of service to others. Even smiling at a passerby on the street and allowing someone with fewer items to move ahead in the line at the grocery are small ways we serve others.

"Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." ~ Mother Teresa

While service to those in need is important, so too is serving daily the people we love. Sometimes showing the same level of kindness and consideration we do for strangers to those we love is challenging or not even attempted.

Do we take a relationship for granted as a result of a certain comfort level?

Has nurturing and tending to the relationship slowly eroded over time?

Are long-standing grudges getting in the way of caring for the relationship?

Have we stopped speaking lovingly?

Love, support, kindness, compassion, empathy, understanding, and forgiveness are not to be reserved for charity and service to strangers; it should be showered on those we love, too.

Kelly Sajonia is a writer for many sites, but spends most of her time writing for her award-winning blog Naked Girl in a Dress. Her inspirational blog celebrates rediscovering life and love at any age. Kelly also has a full service social media marketing business, runs a social media site for writers, teaches blogging, and occasionally takes a professional photography gig.

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Encouraging as usual my dear warrior princess friend. This piece was a gut check for me as I fear that I’m becoming so internally worn out by being a long-term caregiver that I’m sliding into the walls. Be well. ~ JackJack´s Last Fabulous Post ..Dreams of the Jackalope

Jack,
It’s okay to feel you need a break–or have taken a break. Honor that time for yourself, too. If you don’t practice self care, you can’t serve those you love. Please don’t forget that.Kelly Sajonia´s Last Fabulous Post ..The Unexpected Gift of Rain

My husband and I try to serve each other every day because we do not want to end up as a negative statistic. I make his lunches and he makes my dinners. We try to support each other as much as possible. In general, I’m just happy we make the effort as that is usually the first step.Crystal @ Broke-Ass Mommy´s Last Fabulous Post ..Monopoly, Foreclosure Style

Wonderful post and such a powerful Mother Teresa quote. That really helps to break down what can be such an overwhelming proposition.
My 3 teen boys are very service minded, but sometimes I see them doing nothing for their brothers or the family. I always talk about being the same person in public as you are at home. That we love those nearest to us first and then serve out of that kindness. I believe strongly that service begins at home.

Wise words….as they say its the small stuff that truely counts and I know when I focus my attention on serving others I always feel better for it. Thanks for reminding us of the importance of small acts of kindness.Kath Roberts´s Last Fabulous Post ..The Power of Words To Inspire Action

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